The Society for Technical Communication offers a
variety of services and activities for both new and
experienced professionals in the field. From the
international to local chapter level, STC membership
provides a means of continuing professional
development and expanding networking opportunities.
The mission of the Society for Technical
Communication is to improve the quality and
effectiveness of technical communication for
audiences worldwide.
STC currently has more than 15,000 members and over one hundred chapters worldwide. Members are technical communicators in a wide variety of disciplines: writers and editors; graphic artists and technical illustrators; managers and supervisors;
educators and students; independent consultants and contractors; photographers and audiovisual specialists. There is no prerequisite for membership; all interested individuals, whatever their job title, are welcome to join the STC.
Technical communicators serve as the bridge between those who create ideas and those who use them. They must be able
to convey scientific and technical information precisely, accurately, and clearly. Technical communication has become
an important part of business and government, and jobs can be found in almost any sector. Today, technical writing is
recognized as an increasingly essential occupation.
The Annual Conference brings together more than 2,000 technical communicators from around the world for educational
programs, seminars, and workshops conducted by experts in the field.
The 50th Annual Conference will be held May 18-21, 2003, in Dallas, Texas.
International STC is composed of eight regions. Region 8 includes California, Nevada, Hawaii, New Zealand, the Republic of
China, and Singapore. There are 20 chapters in Region 8, six of which are in Northern California: Berkeley, East Bay,
North Bay, Sacramento, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley.
Region 8 Conferences are held when possible. Check the
Region 8 conference website
for more information.
Regularly scheduled chapter meetings allow members to exchange ideas and develop a professional network. Monthly chapter
meetings in Northern California are held on different nights, so members may attend any or all of the five chapter
meetings. Most chapters also publish newsletters at regular intervals.
STC sponsors the International Technical Art, Publications, Online Communication, and Video Competitions. In addition,
the Society bestows a variety of awards, including those for best journal article and best student-written article.
The Northern California chapters collaborate to sponsor the Touchstone Competition,
which includes both printed and online submissions.
Many STC chapters provide self-help employment services and resources. Advertisements for positions appear in both national and local publications. The Society's
job board system
includes a nationwide list of available positions.
STC members who have common experiences and interests share their skills and knowledge with others through Special Interest
Groups (SIGs). If you're interested in forming a SIG on any topic, contact the
Berkeley Chapter President.
STC SIGs at the international level include: Consulting and Independent Contracting; Education and Research; Emerging
Technologies; Environmental, Safety, and Health Communication; Indexing; Information Design; International Technical
Communication; Lone Writer; Management; Marketing Communication; Multimedia; Online Information; Policies and Procedures;
Quality; Scientific Communication; Usability; and Visual Communication.
Among the activities sponsored by SIGs are publishing newsletters, conducting membership surveys, holding online meetings,
and sponsoring live meetings at the STC Annual Conference and regional conferences.
STC offers scientific, literary, and educational grants to further the progress of technical communication. STC awards
scholarships to full-time undergraduate and graduate students to encourage studies and promote growth in the profession.
Technical Communication. STC's highly acclaimed quarterly journal publishes thought-provoking articles on subjects of interest to all technical communicators.
Intercom. STC's newsletter, published ten times each year, contains timely professional articles as well as Society news.
Tieline. The monthly newsletter for chapter leaders offers advice and serves as an idea exchange for chapter officers.
STC Publications. Reference materials, manuals, anthologies, standards, and booklets help both novice and experienced technical communicators
develop and expand their professional skills.
In 1953, two organizations concerned with improving the practice of technical communication were founded on the East Coast:
the Society of Technical Writers, and the Association of Technical Writers and Editors. These organizations merged in 1957
to form the Society of Technical Writers and Editors.
In 1960, STWE merged with the Technical Publishing Society, which had been founded in 1954 on the West Coast. The merger
produced the Society of Technical Writers and Publishers.
In 1971, the organization changed its name to the Society for Technical Communication. Today, STC is the largest
professional society in the world dedicated to the advancement of the theory and practice of technical communication.
Mission
Membership
What Do Technical Communicators Do?
Annual Conference
Regional Conferences
Chapter Activities
Competitions
Employment Information
Special Interest Groups
Research Grants and Scholarships
Publications
Some History
Mission
Membership
What Do Technical Communicators Do?
Annual Conference
Regional Conferences
Chapter Activities
Competitions
Employment Information
Special Interest Groups
Research Grants and Scholarships
Publications
Some History
Last updated Friday, July 4, 2008.
© 2005-2008, STC-Berkeley Chapter
Please email web-page corrections or web-page comments to:
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Berkeley STC Webmaster
Jim Dexter (internet@stc-berkeley.org)
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